By DAVID NAGEL
“SHE’S a freak; she can do things other greyhounds just dream about.”
The words of Devon Meadows trainer Darren McDonald sum up perfectly the win of Sweet It Is, who confirmed herself as one of Australia’s truly great stayers with a breathtaking victory in the final of the $145,000 Solo Bold Trease (715m) at Sandown Park on Friday.
The daughter of Mogambo had punters who took the $2.25 holding their breath, drifting back to second last as the field headed to the back straight before producing a withering final burst.
Sweet It Is swept past Space Star to claim the $100,000 first prize by a rapidly expanding 5 3/4 lengths.
Sweet It Is improved her overall record to 15 wins from 47 starts and boosted her career prize money to $594,565 elevating her to sixth position all time.
The highlight of the night, the $600,000 Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup (515m) was also won in spectacular fashion after Dyna Villa exploded from box eight on his way to the $420,000 first prize.
Dyna Villa stopped the clock in 29.36 seconds to hold out Chica Destacada, with favourite Keybow a further two lengths away in third.
It was the first TAB Melbourne Cup win for trainer Jenny Hunt and the second victory for owner Brendan Wheeler following Dyna Tron’s success in 2011.
